Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DISPENSER AND A METHOD OF FILLING A LIQUID ADDITIVE CONTAINER
Technical Field
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing liquid
additives to a
fluid flow, and in particular, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatus
for adding soaps,
skin conditioners and the like to a stream of water which supplies a shower
head.
Background to the Invention
The prior art has many examples of apparatus for adding soap to a stream of
water which
supplies a shower head.
Some systems create a pressure drop in the main water supply to the shower.
Water from
the high pressure side is taken to a container which contains the additive.
The mixed water
and additive is reintroduced to the lower pressure side of the pressure drop.
In US
4,121,773 the pressure drop is created by a vernturi, whereas in US 5,333,789
the pressure
drop is created by a baffle. US 5,333,789 states that there is very little
mixing of the water
and additive in the canister, but there is no mention of deliberately
separating the water from
the additive.
A problem with systems of this type is that a stream of water flows through
the container in
which the additive is held. This results in variations in the amount of
additive which is added
to the water stream, and there is no way of determining how much additive is
left in the
container.
Some other systems store the additive in a flexible container which is able to
deform as the
volume of additive in it decreases. The flexible container prevents any mixing
of the additive
and the water within the unit. US 3,166,096 and US 3,974,847 are examples of
this type of
system.
These systems go some way to overcoming the problems mentioned above. However,
storing the additive in flexible containers may be inconvenient, and
replacement.of the
flexible containers may be difficult and time consuming.
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It would be advantageous to provide a system in which the amount of additive
dispensed into
the water stream is consistent, and preferably controllable, and where
changing or swapping
the containers carrying the additive is quick and convenient.
Object of the Invention
It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a
dispenser for
dispensing a liquid additive into a stream of liquid which will overcome or
ameliorate
problems with such dispensers at present, or at least one which will provide
the public with a
useful choice.
It is an alternative object to provide a method of filling a liquid additive
container which will
overcome or ameliorate problems with such methods at present, or at least one
which will
provide the public with a useful choice.
Other objects of the present, invention may become apparent from the following
description,
which is given by way of example only.
Brief Summary of the Invention
According to, a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
dispenser for
dispensing a liquid additive into a stream of liquid, the dispenser including
a base
engageable in use with a liquid additive container by relative movement of the
liquid additive
container toward the base along an engagement axis, the liquid additive
container including
an inlet port and an outlet port, the dispenser provided with a main flow
passage for the
stream of liquid, the main flow passage having a main flow inlet, a main flow
outlet, and a
main flow restricting means between the main flow inlet and the main flow
outlet, the base
provided. with an outlet means and an inlet conduit connecting the main flow
passage,
between the main flow inlet and the main flow restricting means, with the
outlet means, the
base further provided with an inlet means and an outlet conduit connecting the
main flow
passage, between the main flow outlet and the main flow restricting means,
with the inlet
means, wherein the inlet port is adapted to communicate with the outlet means
and the outlet
port is adapted to communicate with the inlet means when the base and liquid
additive
container are engaged, and wherein at least one of the inlet means and the
outlet. means of
the base are provided in a surface of base which is substantially parallel to
the engagement
axis. .
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Preferably the outlet means is provided in a surface of the base which is
substantially
parallel to the engagement axis.
Preferably both the inlet means and the outlet means are provided in a surface
of the
base which is substantially parallel to the engagement axis.
Preferably one of the liquid container and base is provided with a socket and
the other of
the. base and the liquid container is provided with an engagement portion
adapted to
engage the socket by relative movement of the engagement portion toward the
socket
along the engagement axis.
Preferably the restriction caused by the main flow restricting means is
adjustable.
Preferably the main flow restricting means includes a rotatable vane.
Preferably the flow restricting means is substantially removable from the main
flow path.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
liquid container
adapted for use with the dispenser of the first aspect.
Preferably the liquid container is provided with a dividing member which is
slideably and
sealingly engaged with an inner surface of the liquid container, the dividing
member
provided between the inlet port and the outlet port.
Preferably the liquid container provided with a plurality of inlet ports.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a
dispenser for
dispensing a liquid additive into a stream of liquid, the dispenser provided
with a main
flow passage for the stream of liquid, the main flow passage having a main
flow inlet, a
main flow outlet, and a main flow restricting means between the main flow
inlet and the
main flow outlet, the dispenser provided with a first chamber for containing
the liquid
additive, the first chamber having a first volume, an inlet conduit connecting
the main flow
passage, between the main flow inlet and the main flow restricting means, with
the first
chamber, the inlet conduit having a second volume which is greater than said
first
volume, and an outlet conduit connecting the first chamber with the main flow
passage,
between the main flow outlet and the main flow restricting means, wherein, in
use, fluid
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from the main flow passage entering the inlet conduit forces air in the inlet
conduit into
the first chamber, thereby displacing the liquid additive through the outlet
conduit.
Preferably substantially all of a liquid additive contained in the first
chamber is displaced
from the first chamber before the first conduit is completely filled with
fluid from the main
flow passage.
Preferably the dispenser includes a base engageable with a liquid additive
container,
wherein the first chamber is provided in the liquid additive container and the
main flow
passage is provided in the base.
Preferably the restriction caused by the main flow restricting means is
adjustable.
Preferably the flow restricting means is removable from the main flow path.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a
dispenser for
dispensing a liquid additive into a stream of liquid, the dispenser including
a base
engageable in use with a liquid additive container by relative movement of the
liquid
additive container toward the base along an engagement axis, the liquid
additive
container provided with a first chamber for containing the liquid additive,
the dispenser
provided with a main flow passage for the stream of liquid, the main flow
passage having
a main flow inlet, a main flow outlet, and a main flow restricting means
between the main
flow inlet and the main flow outlet, the base provided with an outlet means
and an inlet
conduit connecting the main flow passage, between the main flow inlet and the
main flow
restricting means, with the outlet means, the base further provided with an
inlet means
and an outlet conduit connecting the main flow passage, between the main flow
outlet
and the main flow restricting means, with the inlet means, the liquid
container including
an inlet port adapted to communicate with the outlet means when the base and
liquid
container are engaged, and an outlet port adapted to communicate with the
inlet means
when the base and liquid container are engaged, wherein at least one of the
inlet means
and the outlet means of the base are provided in a surface of base which is
substantially
parallel to the engagement axis, and wherein a volume of the inlet conduit is
greater than
a volume of the first chamber.
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Preferably, in use, substantially all of a liquid additive contained in the
first chamber is
displaced from the first chamber before the inlet conduit is completely filled
with fluid from
the main flow passage.
5 Preferably the restriction caused by the main flow restricting means is
adjustable.
Preferably the flow restricting means is removable from the main flow path.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method of filling a
liquid additive container having a chamber, an inlet port and an outlet port
connected'to
the chamber and a dividing member which is slideably and sealingly' engaged
with an
inner surface of the liquid container between the inlet port and the outlet
port, the method
including the steps of:
L applying a vacuum to the outlet port;
ii. maintaining the vacuum until the dividing means has moved to
-a position wherein the volume of the chamber between the
dividing means and the outlet port is minimised;
iii. inserting a required volume of liquid additive into the chamber
through the outlet port.
Preferably the method includes the step of sealing the inlet and outlet ports
after the step of
inserting the required volume of liquid additive is complete.
Preferably the step of sealing the inlet and outlet ports is performed by
sealing with a single
sealing means.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
dispenser
substantially as herein described, with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 or
Figures 7 to 10.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of filling
a liquid additive container substantially as herein described with reference
to Figures 3 to 6.
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Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel
aspects, will
become apparent from the following description given by way of example of
possible
embodiments of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1: Is a diagrammatic cross-section drawing of a dispenser according to
one
possible embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2: Is a diagrammatic cross-section drawing of a dispenser according to
a second
possible embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3: Is a diagrammatic cross-section drawing of a liquid additive filling
apparatus
engaged with a liquid container.
Figure 4: Shows the liquid additive filling apparatus of Figure 3 having drawn
the piston
of the liquid container to a position of minimum volume.
Figure 5: Shows the liquid additive filling apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 in
use filling the
liquid container with liquid additive.
Figure 6: Shows a liquid additive cartridge.
Figure 7: Shows a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
dispenser
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 8: Shows a side perspective view of the. dispenser shown in Figure 7
with the
outer housing and cartridge removed for clarity.
Figure 9: "Shows an enlarged cross section view of the socket and flow
restricting means
of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.
Figure 10: Shows a perspective view of the flow restricting means and
activation
mechanism.
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Best Modes for Performing the Invention
Referring first to Figure 1, a dispenser is generally referenced by arrow 100.
The dispenser
includes a base 1 and a liquid additive container 2, hereinafter referred to
as a cartridge.
The cartridge 2 includes a chamber 3 within which a dispensable liquid 4 is
contained. In the
embodiment shown the chamber 3 is provided inside an outer chamber 5, although
in other
embodiments (not shown) a simple conduit may replace the outer chamber 5.
The inner chamber 3 is in fluid communication with the outer chamber 5 via one
or more
ports 6. A dividing member, typically in the form of a piston 7, is slideably
and sealingly
engaged with the inside wall of the inner chamber 3. The piston 7 is provided
between the
ports 6 and the dispensable liquid 4, thereby separating the dispensable
liquid 4 from any
fluid entering though the ports 6.
The lower portion of the cartridge 2 defines a socket 8 into which a
protruding engagement
portion of the base 1 such as a substantially cylindrical boss 9 can be
inserted by moving the
cartridge 2 and base 1 together along an engagement axis E, to thereby engage
the
cartridge 2 with the base 1.
The engagement portion 9 of the base 1 is provided with an outlet means 11
which is in fluid
communication with one or more inlet ports 12 provided though an inner wall 13
of the socket
8. The outlet means 11 may be one or more ports, but in the preferred
embodiment shown
the outlet means 1.1 is an annular groove. The use of an annular grove 11
means that there
is no need to provide a means of indexing the outlet means 11 with the inlet
ports 12, and so
the dispenser 100 will operate regardless of the angular position of the
cartridge 2 relative to
the base 1..
Suitable sealing means such as O-ring seals 14 are provided around the boss 9
to create a
seal around the interface between the outlet means 11 and inlet ports 12. In a
preferred
embodiment a vent 15 is provided from the upper surface of the boss 9 to
release any air
and/or liquid which is trapped between the top O-ring seal 14 and the
cartridge 2 when the
cartridge 2 is engaged with the base 1.
In use, the stream of water to which the dispensable liquid 4 is to be added
flows from a main
inlet 16 to a main outlet 17 via a main flow path 18. A flow restrictor 19 is
provided in the
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main flow path 18. The flow restrictor 19 increases the pressure of the flow
upstream, that is,
between the restrictor 19 and the main inlet 16, and decreases the pressure of
the flow
downstream, that is, between the flow restrictor 19 and the main outlet 17. An
inlet conduit
20 extends from the main flow path 18, upstream of the flow restrictor 19, to
the outlet means
11. The pressure of the fluid upstream of the flow restrictor 19 acts on the
top surface of the
piston 7, via inlet conduit 20, outlet means 11, inlet port 12, outer chamber
5 and ports 6.
The piston 7 moves toward the base 1, thereby displacing the dispensable
liquid 4 though an
orifice 21 in the inner chamber 3. The dispensable liquid 4 flows from the
orifice 21 through
an outlet conduit 22 via an inlet means 22A and enters the main flow path 18
in the lower
pressure flow downstream of the flow restrictor 19.
O-ring seals 14 are also provided to prevent fluid escaping from the interface
between the
orifice 21 and the inlet means 22A.
Because the inner wall 13 and the sides 9A of the boss 9 are substantially
parallel to the
engagement axis E, the pressure of the liquid flowing between the outlet means
11 and the
inlet ports 12 creates a force which is orthogonal to the engagement axis E,
as does the
pressure of the fluid flowing from the orifice 21 to the inlet means 22A. In
this way the friction
created between the O-ring seals 14 and the inner wall 13 may be sufficient to
hold the
cartridge 2 in engagement with the base 1, without any further holding means
being required.
This may allow for particularly easy and convenient replacement of the
cartridge 2.
The rate at which the dispensable liquid 4 is dispensed into the main flow
path 18 varies with
the flow rate of the fluid in the main flow path. However, the rate may be
also be controlled
by varying the pressure drop caused by the flow restrictor 19, and/or by
restricting the flow in
the inlet conduit 20 and/or outlet conduit 22, for example by use of suitable
needle valves or
the like (not shown).
In one embodiment the flow restrictor 19 may have a fixed diameter, with the
rate at which
the dispensable. liquid 4 is dispensed being varied by suitable valving in the
inlet or outlet
conduits. However, in an alternative embodiment the flow restrictor 19 may
include a
slideable member 23 which can be remotely inserted into or withdrawn from the
main flow
path 18. With the slideable member 23 fully withdrawn from the main flow path
18 there is
little or no pressure difference between the inlet conduit 20 and the outlet
conduit 22, and the
dispenser 100 is thereby deactivated. The slidable member 23 thereby provides
a means of
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activating or deactivating the dispenser, and/or of varying the rate at which
the liquid 4 is
dispensed.
The rate at which the dispensable liquid 4 is dispensed may also be varied by
varying the
diameter of the orifice 21. However, it is preferred that the orifice 21
remain a constant
diameter which is selected to be sufficiently small that the surface tension
of the dispensable
liquid 4 substantially prevents leakage of the dispensable liquid 4 when there
is no pressure
on the piston 7, but allows the piston 7 to displace the dispensable liquid 4
when under
pressure. In this way no cap or stop need be used to prevent leakage of the
dispensable
liquid if the cartridge 2 is temporarily. removed from the base 1.
In a preferred embodiment, intended for use in dispensing a soap based
infusion to a
domestic shower system, the dispenser may have approximate dimensions as
follows:
Cross section area of main flow path 17 = 50mm2
Cross section area of main flow path at main flow restrictor 18 (minimum) =
approx 25mm2
(approx 50% of unrestricted flow path)
Volume of inner chamber 3 = 40ml
Diameter of piston 7 = approx 20-mm
Diameter of orifice 20 = 1 mm.
This embodiment dispenses the dispensable fluid 4 at a rate of approximately 1
ml per minute
though the main flow path 18, assuming the dispensable liquid has a viscosity
of around
500cps and the liquid flowing through the main flow path 18 is water which is
flowing at the
maximum flow rate of around 13 litres per minute allowed by the 25mm2
restrictor.
Referring next to Figure 2, in which similar reference numerals denote similar
features to
Figure 1, an alternative embodiment of the dispenser is generally referenced
101.
In common with the dispenser 100, the dispenser 101 includes a base 1 and a
cartridge 2.
The cartridge 2 includes an outer chamber 5 within with an inner chamber 3 is
provided. The
inner chamber 3 contains a dispensable liquid 4.
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The inner chamber 3 is in fluid communication with the outer chamber 5 via one
or more
ports 6. However, in this embodiment the piston 7 used in the embodiment shown
in Figure
1 is not required.
5 In the second embodiment 101 the inlet conduit 20 is enlarged so that it has
a volume at
least equal to the volume of the inner chamber 3. In the embodiment shown the
additional
volume is created by provision of a void space or chamber 24 inside the base
1.
When the dispenser 101 is held in its intended orientation, the opening 25 of
the inlet conduit
10 20 into the main flow path 18 is preferably the lowest point of the inlet
conduit 20. In this way
the inlet conduit 20, including the chamber 24, may drain into the main flow
path 18 when the
dispenser is not in use, ensuring that the inlet conduit is substantially
empty of liquid when a
user activates the dispenser 101. Of course, it is preferred that the
arrangements of the flow
paths within the base and/or cartridge be such that the dispensable liquid 4
in the inner
chamber 3 is not able to drain through the inlet conduit 20 in the same way.
Upon activation, the inlet conduit 20 begins to fill with water from the main
flow path 18,
upstream of the restrictor 19. The ingress of the water into the inlet conduit
20 raises the
pressure of the air in the conduit 20. The increased pressure is transmitted
to the top of the
dispensable fluid 4 in the inner chamber 3, and is sufficient to force the
fluid 4 out of the
orifice 21, through the outlet conduit 22 and into the main flow path 18
downstream of the
restrictor 19. In the embodiment shown the orifice 21 is provided on a surface
which is
orthogonal to the engagement axis E, but in other embodiments the orifice 21
may be
provided in the inner surface 13, as is described above in relation to Figure.
1.
Because the volume of the inlet conduit 20 is greater than the volume of the
inner chamber
3, substantially all of the dispensable fluid 4 is forced out of the inner
chamber 3 before the
inlet conduit 20 fills completely with water. In this way the dispensable
fluid 4 is dispensed
into the main flow path 18 without any mixing of the water and the dispensable
liquid
occurring in the inner chamber 3.
In a further embodiment (not shown) the inlet conduit 20 may have a volume
which is less
than that of the inner chamber 3, but the outer chamber 5 may have a
sufficiently large
volume to ensure that all of the dispensable fluid is forced out of the inner
chamber 3 before
the water reaches ports 6.
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In a further variation of the dispenser 101 (not shown) the base 1 and
cartridge 2 may be an
integral unit, rather than being removably engageable. Such an embodiment may
be
intended as a single use disposable item, or it may include a means of
refilling the chamber 3
with further dispensable fluid.
Figures 3 to 6 illustrate a method of filling or refilling a cartridge 2
having a piston 7 or other
dividing means, such as the one described above with reference to Figure 1.
The cartridge 2 may be engaged with a filling apparatus 200 which has a boss.9
provided
with a first port 26 adapted to communicate with the orifice 21 and a second
port 27 adapted
to communicate with the inlet port 12. The size and position of the boss 9,
first port 26 and
second port 27 may be substantially identical to the corresponding features on
the base 1
shown in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 3, prior to filling the cartridge 2, a vacuum may be
applied to the orifice 21
though the first port 26. The vacuum may be maintained until the piston 7
moves as far as is
possible towards the orifice 21, as shown in Figure 4, thereby expelling any
remaining
dispensable liquid from the inner chamber 3. Air, or. any other suitable gas,
may be drawn
through the second port 27 and inlet port 12 and into the space above the
piston 7.
Once the piston 7 has moved as far as possible towards the orifice 21, a
required amount of
the dispensable liquid 4 can be inserted into the inner chamber 3 through the
first port 26 and
orifice 21, as shown in Figure 5. Any liquid remaining in the outer chamber 5
is expelled
though the second port 27 as the piston 7 moves away from the orifice 21.
.
Referring in particular to Figure 6, once filled, the cartridge 2 is
preferably sealed with a
suitable sealing means, such as a stopper or bung 28, which covers both the
inlet port 12
and the orifice 21, thereby preventing accidental leakage of the dispensable
liquid 4 when
the cartridge 4 is not in use.
In some embodiments (not shown) the base 1 of the dispenser 100 may be adapted
to allow
refilling of cartridges by the user.
Figures 7 to 10 show an.alternative embodiment of the dispenser, generally
referenced 102,
in which similar reference numerals denote similar features to Figure 1. The
main inlet 16
and main outlet 17 are preferably provided with threaded fittings to allow
attachment to a
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standard shower hose, although other means of connecting the dispenser to a
supply of
water may be used.
Referring in particular to Figures 9 and 10, in a preferred embodiment the
flow restrictor 19
may be a rotatable vane 30. In the embodiment shown, the vane 30 is provided
as a
formation which is integral with a rotatable member 31. The rotatable member
31 has an
exterior shape which, excluding the vane, is a surface of revolution. The
rotatable member is
rotatably engaged with a bush 32. The vane 30 is preferably offset from the
axis of rotation
of the rotatable member 31.
A portion of the outlet conduit 22 may be provided within the rotatable member
31. In a
preferred embodiment the conduit 22 may extend along the central axis of the
rotatable
member 31, with the outlet 33 of the outlet conduit 22 provided adjacent the
vane 30. The
conduit 22 may include a portion 34 which extends radially from the central
axis. The radial
portion 34 may be adapted to align with an aperture 35 in the bush 32 when the
rotatable
member 31 is rotated into the "in use" position shown in Figure 9, thereby
allowing the
dispensable liquid to flow through the conduit in the rotatable member 31.
When the
rotatable member 31 is rotated away from the in use position, the radial
portion 34 moves out
of alignment with the aperture 35 in the bush 32. O-ring seals 36 are provided
on each side
of the radial portion 34.
A one. way valve 37 may be provided within the rotatable member 31 to prevent
back flow of
water up the outlet conduit 22.
The inlet conduit 20 may include a channel 38 provided between the body 39 of
the
dispensing means and the rotatable member 31.
The main flow path 18 may include a scalloped portion 40 into which the vane
30 moves
when not in use. In this way the vane 30 does not impede the flow through the
main flow
path 18 when the dispenser is not in use.
Referring next to Figures 7 and 10, movement of the rotatable member 31 and
the vane 30
may be achieved by any suitable means, but in a preferred embodiment the
rotatable
member 31 is provided with a crank arm 41. A connecting rod 42 connects the
crank arm 41
to a slider 43 provided, on the exterior, of the dispenser body, so that
movement of the slider
43 by the user rotates the rotatable member 30 and the vane 31 between the "in
use"
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position shown in Figure 9 and the "off" position (not shown) wherein the vane
30 is rotated
substantially out of the path of the fluid flowing through main flow path 18.
While the embodiments described above show the base 1 provided with a
protruding
engagement portion 9 and the cartridge 2 provided with the socket, those
skilled in the art
will appreciate that in other embodiments (not shown) the cartridge may be
provided with a
protruding engagement portion and the base 1 with a socket.
While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments
which are intended for use in adding a dispensable liquid to a shower, those
skilled in the art
will appreciate that the invention may also be useful for adding liquids to
other liquid flows.
Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific
components or
integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are
herein
incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although this invention has been described by way of example and with
reference to possible
embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements
may be
made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended
claims.
